Monza, Italy – In a thrilling qualifying session at the historic “Temple of Speed,” French driver Pierre Gasly delivered Alpine’s first career pole position. Gasly, who previously won at Monza with AlphaTauri in 2020, posted a lap of 1:21.786, just 0.060 seconds faster than Mercedes’ George Russell. The achievement comes nine years after Gasly first chased a pole and follows a recent setback when he was stripped of a podium at Monaco.
Local pride and personal milestones
Living in nearby Milan, Gasly said the pole felt “something special around here,” recalling his first race win at the same circuit. He led the early qualifying phases, topping Q1 and posting the fourth‑fastest time in Q2 before securing the top spot in the final flying lap.
Grid line‑up and penalties
Russell, a championship contender, praised Gasly’s performance, noting the session felt like a game of chess. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri qualified third but received a three‑place grid drop for impeding Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, moving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc into an all‑Ferrari second row behind Russell. Lewis Hamilton squeezed into fourth by a razor‑thin 0.001 seconds.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will line up fifth, with Piastri sixth after his penalty. Mercedes champion Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh but will start from the back due to engine penalties, promoting Alpine’s Franco Colapinto to seventh. McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris starts eighth, followed by Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto in the top ten.
Implications for Sunday’s race
Sunday’s race offers Russell a chance to close the points gap to Antonelli, though he too faces a likely engine penalty later in the season. Monza’s long straights and slip‑streaming opportunities make straight‑line speed crucial, a strength Alpine demonstrated in qualifying. Team boss Toto Wolff acknowledged Alpine’s reduced drag and speed, noting that race conditions will differ dramatically from a single‑lap effort.
Ferrari fans gathered in large numbers around the circuit, hoping for a stronger showing after a mixed weekend. While the Italian team did not secure a front‑row start, the race remains a key opportunity for them to capitalize on home‑track knowledge.
Looking ahead
Gasly’s pole underscores Alpine’s progress since the Renault rebrand in 2021 and highlights the competitive balance emerging in the 2026 season. With the fastest track on the calendar, Monza promises high‑speed battles, strategic overtakes, and a test of each team’s aerodynamic efficiency. Fans can expect an exciting Sunday race as drivers fight for points, podiums, and the prestige of winning at one of Formula One’s most iconic venues.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
